Chopstick "Kawakami Shoten" by Tachibana | Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

2022.6.9 9:00

Chopstick "Kawakami Shoten"

We visited Kawakami Shoten, a shop specializing in chopsticks that is scheduled to be sold at Tokyo Mannaka ippindo (limited-time online sales site), which was selected as "Chuo-ku Recommended Souvenir" and talked to President Kawakami.

President Kawakami is the fourth president. I graduated from an elementary school in Chuo Ward in Kodemmacho as a local person.

The first generation was founded in 1905 as a chopsticks craftsman in the Meiji era. Last year, 2021 marked the 70th anniversary of the company’s founding, and the company’s logo has been renewed (in the first catalog).

Wood chopsticks have been manufactured consistently since its foundation.

The trademark is "Edo Karaki chopsticks".

Edo Karaki chopsticks are made using high-grade wood such as ebony, ebony, and iron wood. And the painting is "lacquer". The lacquer also uses high-quality lacquer purified by the technique of "hand black eyes" of Kiso lacquer craftsmen.

Kawakami Shoten has seven craftsmen, and five people take turns manufacturing chopsticks.

The commitment is "Kui Saki" (the tip of chopsticks), which is difficult to grasp, and has been devised to provide functionality that is easy to pinch even with a single grain of conjac or the United States. In addition, there are a wide variety of types such as octagonal chopsticks that are easy to fit in your hand.

The "Takumigi" series was born as a result of searching for answers to "what is really easy to use chopsticks" that makes you want to continue using them all the time.

Then, I would like to introduce some chopsticks.

First of all, it is "Lacquet Octagonal Ebondan Dai 23.5cm" selected in the "Month Division" recommended souvenir from Chuo-ku.

　The material is ebony, the handle is octagonal, and the food tip is round. It fits well when the octagonal shape is held in hand, and the texture of the material is transmitted. It is standard chopsticks of "Edo Karaki chopsticks".

The second is "total octagonal chopsticks".

　Like the first chopsticks, the ebony, lacquer, and the handle are octagonal, but the difference is that it is octagonal to the end of the meal. Thanks to the thinly cut octagonal eaters, one grain of rice and konjac are easier to pinch. This is a product of the "Takumi" series.

The third is "octagonal stylish chopsticks" with a coat on the handle.

　The material is iron wood, lacquer, and the handle is octagonal. The food tip is a thin square shape, making it easier for one grain of the United States to pick up. This is a product of the "Takumi" series.

Because the handle is colorful, it is a chopsticks suitable for gifts such as wedding gifts.

The fourth one I would like to introduce is "octagonal chopsticks".

　The octagonal handle, which is easy to grip, has anti-slip processing, making it very easy to hold. There are 5 colors such as green and red. The material is lacquer on iron wood, and the food tip is square, making noodles and beans easy to pinch.

　My mother has weakened grip strength at the age of 95, but at the recommendation of the president, I decided to present this chopsticks.

The fifth item I would like to introduce is "octagonal chopsticks that change shape three times" in the "Takumi" series.

　The handle of lacquer on ebony is octagonal, the food tip is slim, making it easier for fish to eat, but the main feature is that the part 1,2 cm above the food tip is square. This is to make it easier to grab the noodles. In other words, a single chopsticks change from the top to the octagonal-square-slender.

The last one I would like to introduce is "Eight corner cherry chopsticks".

　The lacquer chopsticks I have introduced so far are dark and have a strong image for men, but this is the one recommended by the president as a gift for my daughter.

The material is lacquer on iron wood, the handle is octagonal, the food tip is square, and the ease of holding and pinching are the same as that of conventional chopsticks, but the golden cherry blossom petals are drawn on the handle and have a feminine atmosphere.

I put it in a very nice wrapping paper as a present.

Although it is only a few above, I introduced chopsticks that can tell you the characteristics of Kawakami Shoten. On the first floor, there is a shop called "chopstick shop" and 400 kinds of chopsticks are always displayed and you can pick it up.

Chopsticks are used in various countries, but the custom of having your own chopsticks is a culture unique to Japan. It is also a characteristic of Japanese chopsticks culture that changes its length as it grows, from short chopsticks in children's small hands to long chopsticks for adults.

If you have time, I would like you to take a look at the shop, pick it up and find the chopsticks that suits you. Since it is a chopsticks that take care of three times a day, if you find your favorite chopsticks, I think that each meal will be more delicious and enjoyable.